Sermons From Mark - The Last Supper (14:17-26)

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                          "THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

                       The Last Supper (14:17-26)

INTRODUCTION

1. We come now to a crucial time in the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth...
   a. His enemies are plotting His betrayal and death
   b. His disciples are gathered to observe the Passover

2. It is the occasion commonly referred to as "The Last Supper"...
   a. For within 24 hours, Jesus will be crucified
   b. His disciples scattered, hiding in fear for their lives

[Jesus knew what would soon take place (Mk 10:33).  As we continue our
study of Mark’s gospel, let’s first turn to Mk 14:17 and consider...]

I. THE PASSOVER OBSERVED

   A. SPECIAL FEAST FOR THE JEWS...
      1. A Jewish feast observed annually - Deu 16:1-8
      2. Commemorating Israel’s deliverance from Egypt - Exo
         12:1-28,43-49

   B. SPECIAL OCCASION FOR JESUS...
      1. He knew His death was imminent ("before I suffer") - Lk
         22:14-15
      2. He was with those He loved ("He loved them to the end") - Jn
         13:1

[As Jesus observed the Passover with His disciples, Mark records two
things that occurred during the dinner.  First, in Mk 14:18-21 there
is...]

II. THE BETRAYAL FORETOLD

   A. THE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT...
      1. To all, Jesus said one of them would betray Him - Mk 14:18
      2. One by one they begin to ask, "Is it I?" - Mk 14:19
      3. He confirms it will be one of the twelve who dips with Him - Mk
         14:20
      4. It is part of God’s plan, but woe to one who will betray Him
         - Mk 14:21

   B. THE PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS...
      1. With Judas Iscariot - Mt 26:25
      2. With John, prompted by Peter - Jn 13:23-26

[Judas Iscariot leaves the supper to betray Jesus (Jn 13:27-30).  As the
rest continue to eat the last supper, Mk 14:22-25 tells us of...]

III. THE LORD’S SUPPER INSTITUTED

   A. JESUS INSTITUTES THE SUPPER...
      1. Using the unleavened bread to represent His body - Mk 14:22
      2. Using the cup (containing the fruit of the vine) to represent
         His blood, the blood of the New Covenant - Mk 14:23-24
      3. Stating He would no longer drink of the fruit of the vine
         until...
         a. "that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." - Mk
            14:25
         b. "that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s
            kingdom." - Mt 26:29
         c. "it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God." - Lk 22:16
         d. "the kingdom of God shall come." - Lk 22:18
      4. There are two plausible explanations for what Jesus means:
         a. Jesus having fellowship with us as we observe the Lord's
            Supper in the church, which is His kingdom - 1Co 10:16-17
         b. The special communion we will have with Jesus in His
            Father's kingdom, spoken often in terms of a heavenly feast
            - cf. Isa 25:6-8; Mt 8:11; 22:2-14; Lk 14:15-24; Re 19:9

   B. PAUL DESCRIBES THE SUPPER...
      1. As a memorial - 1Co 11:23-25
         a. Of His body whose death makes the new covenant possible - He
            9:16
         b. Of His blood shed for the remission of sins - Mt 26:28; Ep
            1:7
      2. As a proclamation - 1Co 11:26
         a. Of faith in the efficacy of His death ("you proclaim the
            Lord’s death")
         b. Of faith in the certainty of His return ("till He come")
      3. As a communion - 1Co 10:16-17
         a. Sharing in the blood of Christ
         b. Sharing in the body of Christ
      4. As an observance - 1Co 11:27-34
         a. With reverence  ("in a worthy manner")
         b. With self-examination ("let a man examine himself, and so
            let him eat and drink")
         c. With other Christians ("wait for one another")

CONCLUSION

1. "The Last Supper" ended...
   a. With the singing of a hymn - Mk 14:26
   b. With the walk to the Mount of Olives - ibid.

2. Today, "The Lord’s Supper" is observed...
   a. On the first day of the week - cf. Ac 20:7
   b. By disciples who commemorate His death, anticipate His return

3. As I think of the two suppers, Jesus earnestly desired...
   a. To eat the first with His disciples
   b. His disciples to eat the second together in His memory

Today, Jesus is our "Passover" sacrificed for us (cf. 1Co 5:7).

The Jews show gratitude for their deliverance from Egypt by observing
their Passover.

Do we show our gratitude for our deliverance from the bondage of sin by
faithfully observing the Lord’s Supper each Lord’s Day...?
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